With the court at Atlanta's Philips Arena occupied by Yao Ming's pregame workout, Jake Tsakalidis slumped on the bench, happy for a few minutes to do nothing but watch.

After a few minutes at blessed ease, he thought it could get better. His muscles sore and aching, he turned to Rockets strength and conditioning coach Dave Macha and asked if he could schedule a massage.

"I'm not used to this," said Tsakalidis, who after several months of doing little in Memphis had experienced the Rockets' conditioning demands for 10 days. "I'm sore."

Tsakalidis got his massage the next day in Orlando, played a day later against the Magic, and by Monday played more effectively than he had in months. Acquired for rarely used Scott Padgett on Feb. 13, largely for emergency center depth and insurance until Yao returns, Tsakalidis seems to have played his way into the rotation, an upset nearly as unexpected as the Rockets' loss to the Celtics on Monday.

Rebounding high

Tsakalidis had a season-high 10 rebounds in 22 minutes Monday. Though he was not impressed, it was a breakthrough.

Tsakalidis had not played a total of 22 minutes in the previous 25 games with the Grizzlies and Rockets combined. His 10 rebounds were as many as in his previous 33 games with the Grizzlies and Rockets.

He had played as much in just four games all season. He had been so far removed from playing that after he was dealt to the Rockets, he had to borrow Yao's shoes, at least one size too large, because Nike did not send shoes in Rockets colors as required by NBA rules.

"They didn't know I was traded," Tsakalidis said.

Then Dikembe Mutombo got two early fouls, and Van Gundy, who had been using Chuck Hayes as his backup center since Yao's injury, summoned Tsakalidis.

"It was good to play, but it wasn't a good game," Tsakalidis said. "I was happy to play, of course. I feel I played good, but I felt tired. I'm not in game shape. I have not played in a while. It's kind of tough for me."

It was not the most he has played, but it was the most he had played since Dec. 8, and he scored seven points. And he seems to have adjusted to his defensive responsibilities.

"I think it speaks to him, his diligence, and also (being) well-coached in the past so he has a good understanding of NBA basketball," Van Gundy said. "He's a good, quick learner."

The Rockets sought Tsakalidis in part because of his ability to quickly learn their schemes, though at 7-2, 290 pounds, his size probably had something to do with it.

Asked what he can contribute, Tsakalidis said: "Be big, play defense, grab rebounds and score when I can. I'm big. I'm 7 foot, so I'm supposed to get rebounds. I'm still learning. I'm still learning my teammates."

Matter of time

The adjustment seems to have been rapid. It is less certain if he will stay in the same place in the rotation or if that will depend on matchups. And when Yao returns, Tsakalidis likely will move one spot further from the court.